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Tuesday, January 01, 2013

The Ultimate Junker

It's January 1st, 2013. So what should I be doing with this new day of my one and only life? What will I make of it, of my house, my projects, my long list of to-do's?

While I'm at it, I should also like to ask myself, "What am I making of me?"

The question of what I'm making of myself, is by far the more intriguing. It's one that leaves me scratching my head the most because I'm unable to significantly remodel myself no matter how much I resolve to do so (hence the need for new resolutions EVERY year).

Yet here it is, a brand spankin' new year. First day. The slate is clean. A page upon which any of us can write our lives. We can start fresh with no mistakes. Our hearts are soft and pliable, willing to be remodeled, remade, renewed, and we find ourselves wanting to do something with that prompting. Who doesn't just love the shiny, the new, even something old made over, refreshed and reborn.

Well, I'm ALWAYS up for a good remodel. The making of things is deeply intrinsic to our lives, isn't it? I definitely thrive on "making and remaking", from making a living and a home, to remaking the latest woebegone piece of junk that I've stumbled upon or gone searching for.

New beginnings are inspiring. Heaven knows we're constantly reworking the bits and pieces of the world around us to give them a bit of ourselves. It excites and inspires us. However, all the remodeling and upstyling we do, no matter how glorious and pretty, is nothing compared to the designs crafted by the 'Ultimate Junker'. Face it, our attempts at recreating the world around us are merely imitations of the amazing work of The Creator. The whole remodeling thing is his idea. He came to remake us in his image, just as we find ourselves wanting to put our touch on those treasures we find.

What we pride ourselves on doing for our homes, those rescued furniture pieces and thrifty finds, only God is able to do eternally for our floundering souls. Now, that is amazing. He pulls us out of a heap where he finds us looking, more often than not, a little worse for wear. We're missing some parts and have lost our luster. Cracked, scarred and broken, we are unable to serve our intended purpose. He sees and knows our potential though. He specializes in soul renovation. He has the definitive Creator's eye and touch.

We're lying in the heap and his face shines on us. He loves us with an everlasting love and pours himself into us, beyond anything we could ever do with our treasured finds. In his merciful, wise and creative hands, we will become his prized work of art, useful and beautiful, ready to live a life of meaning, purpose and significance, for his glory, once he's remade us. It's a testament to his artistry - eternal artistry that will only become more glorious on the other side of this life.

This kind of remodeling, this rebirth is his to do, not ours, but it's up to us to let him.

Face it, I cannot remake a day or conjure the sunrise that casts an inspiring and hopeful light across the landscape, and neither can I remake myself and bring light and luster to my own heart. My heart was born dark and dirty. It's not a matter of being good enough. I can't be "good enough" on my own. The washing, renewing and the remaking of the soul is the business of a Savior. Without the light of Jesus' face, his grace and his power, my soul hasn't a prayer. I have to hand myself over to him to do the work of my eternal makeover. I couldn't have what it takes no matter how many resolutions I ticked off. Oh yeah, believe me, he's got a whopper of job on his hands with me.

Still, Jesus makes all things new if I let him do what he was born to do. Isn't that what we've been celebrating during the past month?

When all that junk we remake, rework and redesign is returned to the junk heap of time (and it will be), the soul reborn will go on.

I hope this year if you haven't already, you will place your life, your heart, your soul into his creative, merciful and powerful hands.

26 comments:

What a great first post of the year, Liz!And true, true. Thank the LORD for His grace and mercy. You are so right - an eternal perspective changes everything. I was considering posting about thrift store finds...it seems so shallow! I need to put more thought into what I post. Now...details, please, about that big pile of very interesting junk! Joyous, blessed New Year,-Revi

Liz I had not forgotten you...[you know all the excuses~]Your post really 'nudged' me. I have been 'quietly struggling' with such mundane topics as: 1.what am I going to do with my blog and 2.how can I learn to use the technology to attract a larger audience 3.How can I get past this writer's block I have 4 Is this totally a spiritually problem?No I am not ready to admit that I am depressed. I don't think I am. Feedback wl be gladly accepted.

btw Chemo #6 is behind 'us'..a PET scan by the end of Jan or early Feb. Even with all the unknowns there is nothing we/doctors too have in front of us that is negative or discouraging.It just goes into the 'unknown' file for now. With all that said I think I NEED TO WRITE...it's like exploring, peeling away layers of feelings, uncovering questions..I think I just answered my own question about not being able to write...perhaps I just need to DO IT..[like this note to you] and see where it takes me. BTW Liz I disagree with any label for you that calls you a JUNKER..indeed 'ultimate' could easily fit in there somewhere :^)..later

Love this post! When I find "junk" or "trash", I look beyond the ugly and see it's potential...that's what God does with us. He is not there to point fingers. he sent His Son to save us, not condemn us. Blessings in 2013

~Liz~ everyday is a blessing with our LORD. I love what you said, that we "cannot bring light and luster into our own hearts". I am guilty of running around looking for things to remake, fidgeting with things until they are just right, tweaking, buffing, painting, nurturing...and while those things make us smile or happy in the moment. They are not what True Joy is made of...I loved this post, the raw honesty and outspoken faith. Thank you for sharing it and Grace and peace my friend. Pat

Super excited to join the blogger world with my new blog, Maddiebella Home. I just became a fan of your fantastic blog! I love the name, so cute! Would love for you to check out my blog and follow me as well. Happy New Year!

Liz, how touching! I love your analogy. I rely on him every single day. Don't know where I would be without him. Thanks for sharing this with Share Your Cup. Girl, you should be publishing this!Hugs,Jann

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